Bianchi and Bird: Trying a new road to F1

Former GP2 frontrunners Sam Bird and Jules Bianchi have switched to Formula Renault 3.5 and the pressure is on. Glenn Freeman caught up with them to see how they hope to match high expectations

As far as conventional career paths go, the route being taken by Jules Bianchi and Sam Bird this year has to be considered off the beaten track. Drivers moving from Formula Renault 3.5 to GP2 is nothing new, but it's rare to see any going in the other direction.

Yet that's what these drivers with Formula 1 connections (Bianchi with Ferrari and Force India, Bird with Mercedes) are doing. Both have won in GP2, and both were in the mix in a fantastic scrap at the top of the championship in the series last year. Yet instead of continuing to sit on the doorstep of the F1 paddock awaiting a chance, the former team-mates (as GP2 rookies at ART in 2010) have both taken the same decision to try out life on the World Series by Renault bill.